There’s Something in the Barn (2023) Review

As the holiday season rapidly approaches (too fast in this humble critic’s opinion), the landscape is once again adorned with the peculiar amalgamation of Christmas cheer and horror thrills. We’ve seen a few of them including Werewolf Santa emerge (and set audiences howling) as far back as August.

Nestled within this peculiar niche comes There’s Something in the Barn, a Christmas horror comedy that endeavors to infuse fright with festive capers. It joins the ranks of classics like Silent Night, Deadly Night, Gremlins, Krampus,  and the recent Violent Night, adding a touch of Norwegian folklore to the mix. However, while this yuletide escapade offers an amiable experience, it may leave audiences yearning for a more substantial feast.

The snowy story unfolds as an American family, led by Bill (Martin Starr) and Carol (Amrita Acharia), inherits a farm in rural Norway, prompting them to embark on a fresh start. The adults embrace the opportunity, but teenage Nora (Zoe Winther-Hansen) and young Lucas (Townes Bunner) harbour reservations, especially when Lucas discovers an enigmatic Barn Elf residing in their new abode. This Norwegian mythological creature, with a penchant for biscuits and an aversion to noise and light, sets the stage for chaotic misadventures, particularly when the family decides to host a raucous housewarming party in the barn – the last thing that a Barn Elf would want. And as the family blunders further into the Elf’s bad books, things escalate, leading to bloody mayhem.

There’s Something in the Barn delivers precisely what its title promises—no more, no less. The cast, particularly the commendable performances of Starr and Acharia, inject vitality into the narrative. Director Magnus Martens skillfully captures the picturesque setting, painting a bucolic backdrop for the unfolding events. Yet, the film adheres to a conventional trajectory, revealing its narrative hand in a straightforward manner. The storyline remains tethered to the expected beats, with the real showdown between elves and humans unfolding in the third act.

While the film boasts competency and aesthetic finesse, it falls short on the innovation front. The plot’s familiarity, reminiscent of numerous films in the genre, lends it a somewhat derivative quality. At times the film’s tonal echoes seem to resonate with superior predecessors like Michael Dougherty’s Krampus and the timeless Gremlins, which adeptly wove subtext and satire into their chaotic tapestries. But just when you feel like you can let yourself go and immerse yourself fully in this experience, something slips and the ride gets a bit bumpy.
This is likely linked to the difficult job this film has in trying to be an almost family-friendly romp whilst retaining the blood and tension needed to keep horror fans engaged.

The film’s thematic strength lies in exploring the dynamics of fitting into a new place and the associated challenges. While the narrative doesn’t delve too deeply into this aspect, it subtly weaves it into the storyline without resorting to heavy-handedness. The escalation of the elf’s temperament, transitioning from cute to ferocious, aligns seamlessly with the story’s framework.

There’s Something in the Barn serves as a moderately thrilling Christmas horror experience, particularly for those seeking a light-hearted romp with irritable Norwegian elves wreaking havoc on unsuspecting humans. However, the film’s more pedestrian and foreseeable elements may require an extra dash of spiked eggnog to fully savour.

The film, despite its somewhat underwhelming climax, excels in delivering absurdist humor. The comedic timing of the cast, coupled with Martens’ wry observations about Norwegian and American culture, generates genuinely funny and silly moments. The film revels in its sheer goofiness, overshadowing its horror-centric finale.

There’s Something in the Barn may not offer enough to sit atop the Christmas horror subgenre tree, but it manages to provide a merry and entertaining experience. For those seeking a festive yet light horror movie, this Norwegian-Finnish production might just be the ticket to a quirky yuletide celebration. With a fun plot, picturesque visuals, seasonal soundtrack and a dash of holiday absurdity, it leaves audiences with the warm sense of satisfaction that we all long for on long winter nights.

Movie Rating:

There’s Something in the Barn trailer